Thursday night football isn’t for everyone

davidjwalker1
20 minutes ago
6 min read

Who would have believed that history making, 4-In-Row Premier League Champions Manchester City, would go into the final game of the season with Champions League qualification still hanging in the balance.

KDB - City's finest and arguably the Premier League's greatest ever player.

Similarly, whoever would have thought the best team in English football would let their greatest ever player walk out the door for free, following a season interspersed with magical and maddening moments, riddled with mediocrity and inconsistency.

Business as usual as City 2-0 at Chelsea.

When City kicked off the 2024/25 season with a comfortable 2-0 away win in the August sun at Chelsea, it was business as usual for Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering troops.

The sun went down on City's chance of silverware at Wembley.

Going undefeated in the ensuing dozen games - nine Premier and three Champions League - gave no hint as to what was to come in the dark depths of winter.

Flaming Hell - City mustered just one win in 13 games - the worst ever run in Pep's managerial career.

One solitary win in the next 13 games represented the bleakest period in Pep’s entire managerial career with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City.

Even King Kev couldn't gloss over City's sub-standard season.

There’s a time-honoured joke in football about those who shouldn’t be allowed to ‘own’ a dog, as they’re incapable of holding onto a lead.

It wouldn’t bode well for Bernardo Silva and John – his French Bulldog – affectionately and hilariously named after teammate, John Stones.

City relinquished – and in some cases – capitulated in games whilst leading, starting with a 4-1 thrashing by a very average Sporting Lisbon. It was indicative of a litany of lamentable Champions League showings.

A two-goal advantage over PSG in Paris was overturned in a 4-2 defeat. Despite being 1-0 and then 2-1 ahead against Real Madrid, City contrived to lose 3-2 at the Etihad in the knockout stage. The worst performance didn’t even result in a loss, as City gifted Feyenoord a draw, having been 3-0 ahead up until the 74th minute.

Flopping against Feyenoord as City lost a three goal lead.

It amounted to giving away eight points in the league phase. Had they not been so profligate, City would’ve automatically qualified for the Round of 16 and not even had to face malignant Madrid.

One goal advantages were frittered away against Brighton, Manchester United, Everton, resulting in the loss of eight precious points.

Two more went astray at Brentford after leading 2-0 up until the last 10 minutes at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Phil Foden's brace wasn't enough to beat Brentford.

The extra ten points still wouldn’t have been enough to win a fifth Premier League on the bounce, but it would’ve shielded City from much of the ridicule, rightly heaped upon them.

Nico O'Reilly was integral in City's late season upturn.

Renowned for putting together amazing winning sequences in the home stretch of each of the last four seasons, City had gone ten games undefeated in the run up to the desperately disappointing FA Cup Final loss.

City were 10 games undefeated before the FA Cup Final defeat.

Whilst not diminishing Palace’s jubilation at lifting their first major trophy – lest we forget the ecstasy when City beat Stoke in 2011, ending a 35-year drought – some extraordinarily dodgy VAR officiating altered the course of the game.

Palace keeper Henderson should've seen red!

When Palace keeper Dean Henderson clearly handled the ball outside of the 18-yard box – swiping it away from Erling Haaland and denying a clear goalscoring opportunity – he should’ve been sent off.

Pep exchanges words with Henderson at the final Wembley whistle.

The Norwegian striker would almost certainly have scored and put a different complexion on the game, with Oliver Glasner’s team reduced to ten men.

Villainous Henderson pulled off a superb save from Marmoush's penalty.

City had 78% possession and 23 shots but squandered a penalty when the villainous Henderson saved from Marmoush. It was a surprise when Haaland declined to take the spot kick, handing the ball to the Egyptian.

Erling couldn't find a way to shatter Crystal Palace's resolute rear guard defending.

A more welcome surprise came in the shape of 19-year-old Argentine midfield prodigy, Claudio Echeverri making his City debut from the subs bench. He wasn’t in the least overawed by the occasion and looks a fine prospect.

Argentine prodigy Claudio Echeverri made a surprise City debut.

City had gone into the Final as firm favourites, not least because they’d beaten the Selhurst Park outfit five weeks earlier, in a thrilling come-from-behind 5-2 victory.

KDB waves goodbye to his adoring City fans.

The stunning fightback was inspired by a trademark Kevin De Bruyne free kick, in his first appearance at the Etihad since the announcement he was leaving City after ten trophy-laden seasons.

Super Kev inspired a five goal comeback over Palace.

It was a superlative showing from the Belgian maestro who many believe is not only the greatest player In City’s history, but arguably the best in the Premier League era.

Should he be going? Opinion is divided on KDB's departure.

So much has been written and said about KDB’s departure – opinions are divided on City’s decision not to offer him any contract extension – but he received an Etihad send off befitting his status of King Kev, after the crucial midweek win over Bournemouth.

In an emotionally charged atmosphere, his name rang out incessantly from a 53,000 crowd. A giant tifo was unfurled in the East Stand and the stage was set for an adrenaline fuelled night of anticipation, celebration and more than a tinge of sadness.

Oh my Omar! Marmoush's sizzling strike from 30 yards out.

Having missed the penalty at Wembley, Omar Marmoush set about making amends with a sensational 30-yard piledriver goal of the season contender.

Marmoush's stunning 30-yarder is a contender for Goal of the Season.

Not long after that he turned goal provider – or so it appeared – as he placed a nigh on perfect pass to De Bruyne in front of a gaping goal.

The script had been written for a fairytale farewell before KDB inexplicably allowed his guilt-edged opportunity to bounce off the crossbar.

KDB missed a sitter on his last Etihad appearance.

Face buried in hands; he’d fluffed his lines as his 109th City goal went unscored in the must-win encounter.

Nico's first Premier League goal iced City's win over The Cherries.

Thankfully Bernardo and Nico Gonzalez were more clinical, putting City 3-0 up before some lackadaisical defending gifted the visitors a late consolation.

Silva was golden, scoring City's second goal against Bournemouth.

If the cheers and tears were for De Bruyne then the roar was for Rodri when the Ballon d’Or winner began his touchline warm up.

The midfield metronome entered the fray in the 83rd minute to safeguard the points and edge City closer to Champions League qualification.

The Etihad crowd roared with delight at Rodri's return.

A win against Fulham on Sunday ensures a third-place finish, equalling Pep’s worst Premier League placing, back in his 2016/17 debut season.

Pep was in tears listening to KDB's farewell address to the City fans.

It speaks to the standards set and sustained during Guardiola’s nine-year reign, that an injury-plagued season – one where he had to decide whether to remain at City, plus stressful complications in his personal life – is deemed a failure.

If City were to slip up at Craven Cottage – and other results went against them – they would find themselves without Champions League football for the first time in 15 years.

Thursday night football is almost unthinkable, even after the trials and tribulations of 2024/25.

In the spotlight - the De Bruyne family received a Guard of Honour.

Surely the Europa League isn’t for City – but even if it were, it’d be better than the lot of some self-styled 'elite’ clubs, whose only hope of European competition would be a tacky song contest.

Dedication:

RBNR dedications are so often focused on City fans and friends who are either battling health challenges or have sadly passed away.

On this occasion it’s heartening to be able to make a dedication to a great guy, Josh Connor and his fiancée, Rebecca, who are getting married in Athens next Wednesday. Have a smashing day – go easy on the Greek crockery – and a wonderful life together. Congratulations!

By David Walker

www.readbutneverred.com

Twitter @ReadButNeverRed

@djwskyblu